09/25/2020

Political activity and church leaders--Guidance from ELCA Churchwide

With election season in full swing, the ELCA General Counsel, Tom Cunniff, asked that we share with you, and your leadership, the following reminders regarding what churches and church leaders can and cannot do in regard to political activity. Please read the following resources provided by the ELCA Churchwide Office and make sure everyone on your leadership team is aware of and following the guidelines set forth in these documents.

Guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process

Political Activity and Tax Status

Highlights of the materials are:

1. Congregations cannot support or endorse candidates for office, but can do issue advocacy and neutral political activity (non-partisan registration drives, being a polling place, etc.)
2. Pastors and other church employees can endorse or support candidates, but only if it is clear that they are acting in their personal capacity and not in their capacity as a leader or employee of the congregation (pastor cannot endorse from the pulpit, for example)